A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 28

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912

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Frank N. Brownlee remained with his parents until the age of twenty- one years, grew up on a farm, and has close practical familiarity with all branches of farming, and that experience has been valuable to him in his profession. As a boy he attended the country schools, and received as good an education as could be had. Though reared on a farm, his inclinations were for a more active and broader career, and his first posi- tion after leaving the farm was with the Lock Insulator Company, with which concern he remained a year. For the following year he traveled as a representative of the International Harvester Company, and in that time he broadened his acquaintance among farmers and gained a thor- ough knowledge of agricultural implements. It was while engaged in this work that he conceived the idea of taking up auctioneering as a profession, having been influenced in this direction through his acquaint- ance with a number of the largest livestock breeders in the country. He

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took a course in the Missouri Auction School, graduating and receiving a diploma, and his services were soon in demand as a judge of stock, and as an auctioneer he has since traveled over all the country, making sales for some of the largest breeders in the country.

In 1911 Mr. Brownlee came to Oregon, in Holt County, and while there conducted a number of important sales for livestock men. Ill health compelled him to leave his vocation, and he acted on the advice of his physician and went to California, where he at once found work in crying sales for a number of large breeders. While in California he was also in the commission business. After recovering his health he spent some time in Oklahoma, as an auctioneer, and then returned to Holt County and located in Mound City, his headquarters being in the Gladstone Hotel. His prepossessing manner, his thorough knowledge of his business, and a successful record have ingratiated him in the confi- dence of Holt County people, and he has conducted a number of sales with satisfaction to all parties. His recommendations are of the best, and in his field of work has professional engagements both in Holt County and surrounding district.

Mr. Brownlee is a thorough booster and has shown the same quali- ties of enterprise in Mound City and Holt County that have made him a factor in other communities. While in California he was an active mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce of San Bernardino, and he has many friends in that state. Mr. Brownlee was reared in the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is independent, voting for the man rather than for the party.

R. L. CASON. An ever increasing prosperity has rewarded the efforts of R. L. Cason since he embarked in agricultural pursuits in young manhood. To his agricultural labors at that time he brought an earnest purpose and a strong physical equipment, which counteracted in large degree the disadvantages of a poor education and the lack of capital, and through the years which have passed he has advanced himself, step by step, to a position of substantiality among the men who have main- tained the high agricultural standards of Holt County. At the present time he is the owner of a handsome property comprising 3381/2 acres, in which are to be found improvements of the most modern character.

R. L. Cason was born in Howard County, Missouri, September 2, 1863, and is a son of J. M. and Melvina (Cropp) Cason. The parents were natives of Virginia and were married in Missouri, becoming the parents of six children, of whom four still survive. The first settlement of the Casons in Howard County was in Sheridan Township, where the father purchased a tract of land comprising 250 acres, upon which some im- provements had been made, from a man named Liggett. Here the father was engaged in cultivating the soil when the Civil war broke out and he enlisted for service, becoming captain of an infantry company in a regiment of Missouri volunteers. He met a soldier's death in 1865, when he was drowned in the Red River. The widow was thus left alone with her little family, but her troubles were not over, for in some manner she incurred the enmity of a band of guerrillas known as the Kansas Jay- hawkers, who burned her home, and R. L. Cason, then being a baby, was nearly burned to death, being rescued at the last moment. He grew up under the teaching of a good Christian mother, but was not able to attend school, as his services, were constantly needed in the support of the family, and thus his education has been entirely self-acquired. The Howard County farm, which was of very fertile soil, was sold in 1882 for $25 per acre and at that time the family moved to Holt County and the mother settled on what is known as the John Davis farm. One year

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later she sold to W. C. Andes, later moving to the John Martin farm, in Lewis Township, where she died. R. L. Cason left that property to go and live with his father-in-law, and finally settled on his present land, a tract of 144 acres in South Benton Township, in the cultivation of which he has met with very satisfying success. He has made various improve- ments of a most substantial character, and his buildings are among the most modern to be found in this section. He is now accounted a well- to-do man, and the abundant means he has acquired are the result of the energy, sound judgment, tenacity of purpose and wise management with which he has conducted his operations.

Mr. Cason was married to Miss Minnie F. Hutton, daughter of Wash Hutton and Caroline Hutton, and they have had the following children : Daphene, who married Professor Rock; Mildred, who married George Kuhn; Ruby; Russell, deceased ; Marjorie; John, and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Cason are members of the Christian Church. He has always been a friend of education, realizing the handicaps under which he labored by a lack of training in this direction, and has con- sistently supported movements which have bettered the school system of his community. Largely through his encouragement and efforts, the new schoolhouse was erected in South Benton Township, and for seven years he served as an active and helpful member of the school board. Mr. Cason is the owner of property aggregating 3381/2 acres, and he has been the largest taxpayer of his township. Fraternally, he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Masons, in both of which he has warm friends.

ROBERT L. MINTON. At no time, perhaps, in the history of the world, has there been more call than at present for the use of the qualifications and the exercise of the talents of the practitioner of, the law. Putting aside the great national problems that at present are being fought out in foreign lands, and which, it is reasonable to suppose, will finally have to be settled in courts of arbitration and largely through eminent jurists, the changing conditions of industrial and social life in America bring new questions to the courts such as were once unthought of. To meet such conditions the lawyer must be well equipped indeed, not only in the fundamentals of the law, but in every line to which the activities of life penetrate. It means a great deal, therefore, when a young man is acknowledged to be a leading member of the bar of his county, and such is the position of Robert L. Minton, attorney-at-law at Mound City. He was born in Minton Township, Holt County, Missouri, December 15, 1883, and is the son of Dr. I. M. and Mary E. (Shepherd) Minton.

Both the Mintons and Shepherds were very early settlers in Holt County. The paternal grandfather, Henry Minton, was born in the Vil- lage of Mintonville, Casey County, Kentucky, and from there, in 1847, moved to Holt County, Missouri, and settled at a point on the Missouri River, called Minton's Bend. There he entered land and spent the remainder of his life. He took part in the Mexican and later the Civil war. The Shepherds belonged to the Old North State and the maternal grandfather of Mr. Minton left North Carolina at the age of eighteen to become a resident of Holt County, Missouri, where members of the family still reside. The following children were born to Dr. I. M. and Mary E. (Shepherd) Minton : Zoe M., who married Dr. Charles H. Thomas; William H., physician and surgeon, who married Mayme L. Catron, daughter of J. G. Catron, of Bigelow Township, Holt County ; Robert L., and George A., who still resides on the old home place in Minton Township.

Robert L. Minton was afforded excellent educational advantages, first attending the local schools and afterward the high school at Oregon, the

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county seat of Holt County, and from that institution he entered the Missouri State Normal School at Kirksville, from which he was grad- uated in 1903. Following 1903 he taught school and farmed, studied law in the office of Senator Wilson, of Platte City, in 1906, then entered the law department at Ann Arbor of the University of Michigan, where, after two years of application, he was graduated in June, 1908, and in the following year was admitted to the bar, locating for practice at Mound City. He has built up a substantial practice and has secured a number of important clients through his sound knowledge of the law and close attention to their interests.

Mr. Minton was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor G. Breier, a daughter of John B. Breier, of St. Louis County, Missouri, who for twelve years was superintendent of schools of that county. They have one child, a son, Marion J., who was born October 16, 1913. Mrs. Minton is a thoroughly educated and highly accomplished lady, a graduate of the Ferguson schools, of the Kirksville Normal School in 1903, and of Chicago University in 1908. She is interested in many of the questions that concern the women of today and both she and her husband take part in the pleasant social life of Mound City.

In politics Mr. Minton could be nothing but a democrat, for he was, as it were, reared in the cradle of democracy, the family belonging to that political party as far back as he can trace. His fraternal connec- tions include membership in the W. O. W., at Fortescue, Missouri; the Odd Fellows and local Masonic Lodge at Mound City, of which lodge he has been several times master. He is also a member of Moila Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of St. Joseph, Missouri.

WILLIAM ERWIN. For many years the Erwin family have been sub- stantial farming people, good citizens, kindly neighbors, and representa- tives of morality and religion in Holt County.

William Erwin, whose record is that of a successful young farmer in Benton Township, was born in Holt County on the farm that is still his home on February 8, 1874. His parents are Goldman and Margaret Erwin. They were married in Holt County, and became the parents of eight children, six of whom still survive, and all were born on the old homestead. The father on locating in Holt County first settled on land adjoining the present farm, now known as the Jim McNulty farm. This estate comprises eighty acres of land, all of which has been well improved under the united labors of both Goldman Erwin and his son, and under the present management of William Erwin is one of the most profitable farms, considering its size, in Holt County. Both parents are still living and in good health. The father's people originally were Ken- tuckians, and during the war lost all their property, and had to begin over again. The mother was born in Jackson County, Missouri. William Erwin is the only son left on the old farm, and realizing his duty to his parents has never married.

The Erwins were originally members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, but now affiliate with the Christian Church. The politics of the family has always been democratic. Both Goldman and William Erwin are citizens who have worked for the good of the community, and both have served on the local school board, the son being now clerk of the board. The father in the early days was a teacher, and kept school in Holt County. The father is a Mason and the son affiliates with the Odd Fellows at Mound City. The parents and the son have all the comforts of a good country home, and the only other member of the family living with them is a niece, who has been a member of the household since childhood.

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JACOB BOHART. Apart from the piling up of great wealth or conquer- ing high position in the public view, there are distinctions of a quieter and more satisfying kind that are none the less difficult of attainment, and yet are possible to a long and well ordered life such as has been that of Jacob Bohart, for many years a resident of Holt County. Mr. Bohart represents a family that came into Northwest Missouri before the country was legally open to settlers, and he is himself one of the older native sons of this section. His young manhood fell during the Civil war, in which he served, and he has been the witness of many remarkable changes. He had already reached the summit of life and had his children grown or growing up about him when the modern twentieth century was ushered into Northwest Missouri.

Jacob Bohart was born on a farm sixteen miles east of St. Joseph on July 25, 1845. His parents were Phillip and Martha (Russell) Bohart, who were married in Buchanan County, Missouri. Both the Boharts and Russells were pioneers. Grandfather Elijah Russell, who was a native of Scotland, came into the country surrounding the old trading post at St. Joseph as early as 1833. He put up a building and lived as a squatter for a time. That was before the opening of the Platte Purchase, and the soldiers of the United States tore down his first dwelling in an endeavor to drive him from the country. He remained, and restored the building, and spent the best part of his life in this section. Phillip Bohart was also a pioneer settler in Buchanan County, moved from there to Andrew County, and after a few years sold out and bought a new home in Holt County. Phillip Bohart was a native of Germany, and a member of the Lutheran faith. He was in many ways an exemplary character, and is said to have never used a profane word in all his life. On coming to Holt County he first settled on what is known as the Beaver farm, and later bought land of his own, improved it with build- ings, cleared up the fields, and lived there quietly and industriously until his death on February 17, 1866. During his residence in Holt County he served on the school board. There were seven sons and two daughters in the family.

Jacob Bohart grew up in these different localities of Northwest Mis- souri, and as the schools at that time had limited sessions and the duties of home were considered more important than literary instruction, his early training was limited. He was still a boy when the great Civil war threw the entire nation into confusion, and for three months towards the close of the struggle he served with the State Reserves. Mr. Bohart lived at home until his marriage to Martha A. Gibson. She was born two miles north of the Village of Oregon, a daughter of John C. Gibson, a native of England, and Sarah Noland, who was a native of Kentucky. Mr. Gibson was a prominent citizen, served as county judge and was active in the republican party.

After his marriage Mr. Bohart settled on his present farm, which now comprises 120 acres. However, he at one time owned much more land, but has divided his possessions among his children. Mr. Bohart and wife have two daughters: Anna Lizzie married F. C. Burnett, and they have three sons, Russell B., Dwight B. and Jay; the daughter Orrie May married Marion F. Wilson, and they have a son, Kenneth. Jacob Bohart has long been regarded as one of the substantial men of Holt County, and while his material prosperity has been represented by a large farm with improvements all of his own construction, he has likewise been public spirited in his relations with the community. In politics he is a democrat, and he and his family are active in the Christian Church. Mr. Bohart is still a resident of the old homestead, but has retired from active business.

Q. v. Sella

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GEORGE KAUFMAN. Now owner of a well improved farm estate, and a prosperous and contented agriculturist in the vicinity of Mound City, George Kaufman has had a career of varied activity, has lived in many localities in Northwest Missouri and in adjoining states, and has had to work out his own prosperity. While he has enjoyed many kindly friend- ships in his progress through the world, Mr. Kaufman had practically nothing given him, and his own industry has constituted his best capital.

George Kaufman was born at the little community known as Irish Grove, near Milton, in Atchison County, Missouri, November 3, 1870. His parents were Joseph Ruel and Hanna S. (Baker) Kaufman, who were married in Morrow County, Ohio, and were of Pennsylvania Dutch stock. They moved out from Ohio to Atchison County, Missouri, about 1869, locating near Milton. Joseph R. Kaufman for a long time con- ducted a sawmill. While he owned a small farm, his favorite activities were in mechanical lines and especially in work which kept him much outside and away from home, and it was his idea that more money could be made that way than by the quiet, persistent, stay-at-home farming. He finally lost his life by being struck with a piece of machinery while digging a well. He was a man who provided generously for his large family, which comprised eleven children, nine of whom still survive. He never used liquor, was a member of the Dunkard Church, and at one time taught school, served as road overseer, and was also a justice of the peace. His widow now lives at Guide Rock, in Nebraska.

George Kaufman was educated in Atchison County, and had some higher schooling for a brief term. With the conclusion of his school days he lived with his mother on several different farms. On the advice of a cousin at Maitland, Mr. Kaufman found a job that gave him employ- ment on a farm for a year, after which he returned and engaged in farming and stock raising with his mother a year, and then resumed employment with his former employer. At the end of two years Mr. Kaufman made a purchase of thirty-three acres near Newpoint, but after a year, during which he had made a little money, he sold out and began working by the year for about two years with William Kneal at Newpoint.

On December 31, 1905, Mr. Kaufman married Miss Anna Schull, daughter of William Schull. After his marriage he continued to work for William Kneal for one year, after which he was employed by Phillip Schull, his wife's uncle. Mr. Kaufman then moved to Barton County, Missouri, bought a farm there, and cultivated it for two years. Being dissatisfied with that locality he returned to Mound City, lived there from March to August, and then located with his brother-in-law, Frank Schull, on the farm just opposite the old Schull homestead. That was his location for two years, after which he bought his present place of seventy- five acres, all of it improved land, and he is now well situated, has good land and good improvements, and is one of the contented and prospering farmers of Holt County.

Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman have two children: Avis May, born April 6, 1907; and Hazel Grace, born August 5, 1911, both natives of Holt County. Mr. Kaufman is a member of the Presbyterian Church and in . politics a republican, while his father was a democrat.

ORLIFF V. SELLS. As manager of the Mutual Telephone Company of Andrew County Mr. Sells has proved essentially to be "the right man in the right place," and his well ordered executive policies have been potent in bringing the telephone system up to a high standard of efficiency. Mr. Sells was born on a farm in Clay Township, Andrew County, on the 22d of October, 1871, and is one of the well known citizens of this section of the state, where his circle of friends is coincident with that of his acquaint-

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ances. He is a son of James P. and Mary (Joy) Sells, both natives of Ohio and both of whom came to Missouri about the year 1865, their marriage having been solemnized in this state, where the father was long a substantial and representative farmer and stock grower. His devoted wife was summoned to the life eternal in 1908, at the age of seventy years, and after years of earnest and fruitful endeavor he is now living retired in the City of Los Angeles, California. Of the three children, Orliff V. is the eldest ; Frank is now a resident of Colorado; and Lee maintains his home at Laclede, Linn County, Missouri.

Orliff V. Sells has never faltered in his loyalty and allegiance to the county of his birth and has been a resident within its borders all his life, his early years having been compassed by the conditions and influence of the home farm and his educational advantages having included those of the high school in Savannah, judicial center of the county. That he made good use of the opportunities thus afforded is shown by the fact that for some time he was found numbered among the successful and popular teachers in the district schools of his home county. Thereafter he engaged in the insurance business, and for nine years he has been actively identified with the telephone business. He has been the progres- sive and valued manager of the Mutual Telephone Company since 1907 and the service of the system has been brought up to its present admirable status not less through its excellent physical equipment than through his efficient management.

Mr. Sells is a staunch democrat in a county that has long been a republican stronghold, and thus it was but a normal political exigency that he met defeat at the polls when he appeared as his party's candidate for the office of county clerk. He served six years as city collector of Savannah, which has been his place of residence from the time he retired from the pedagogie profession, and he was for eight years a member of the board of education. He and his wife are zealous and valned members of the Baptist Church at Savannah, and he is serving both as clerk and treasurer of the same.

In 1898 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Sells to Miss Alice Cobb, who likewise was born and reared in Andrew County, a daughter of Amos Cobb, and the four children of this union are Vincent, Harold, Raymond and Margaret.

BENJAMIN SHAFER. Enterprise, thrift and industry are the charac- teristics of Benjamin Shafer's career as a farmer in Northwest Missouri. He now has one of the well improved farms in Benton Township, and he and other members of the family throughout their residence in this section have identified themselves with the things that mean better life and general improvement of the community.

Benjamin Shafer was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1849, a son of John and Ellen (Smith) Shafer. His parents were married in that state, and there were ten children, three of whom are now deceased. John Shafer during his residence in Pennsylvania was engaged in the manufacturing of brick. On coming West, he first settled in Iowa, subsequently entered land from the Government in Nebraska, and finally traded that land for unimproved acreage in Holt County, Missouri. All this land was in the timber, and it was left to the labors of his sons to clear it up. Altogether the estate comprised 466 acres. The buildings were erected by the sons, and the greater part of the lands put in cultivation.

That was the home of Benjamin Shafer for eight years, and he then traded for 130 acres in his present farm. Here again he has gone through the task of improving new land, erecting good and substantial buildings,

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and thus all his property represents the substantial efforts of his own career.

Benjamin Shafer married Mary Hahn, daughter of Richard Hahn. The children are: Anna Bell, who married Bert Mead, and they are the parents of five children; Frank married Nellie Lester and has two children; Estella, who married Mose Keefer, and has four children, one of whom is deceased; David Allen is unmarried; Minnie Nora is the wife of Charles Fields and the mother of three children. The family are mem- bers of the Christian Church, while Mr. Shafer's father was a Lutheran. In politics they are democrats. Benjamin Shafer has served as school director, and has always shown a willingness to work with his neighbors for those things which are the result of organized effort in a community.

ROBERT BAGBY. A native son of Holt County, one of the progressive young farmers of Hickory Township, Robert Bagby has made consider- able progress along the road to success, is able to compete on terms of equality with other farmers in his section, and while looking after his private interests also lent his aid to community improvements and bet- terment.

Robert Bagby was born in Holt County May 13, 1881, a son of Joseph Paxton and Nancy (Rogers) Bagby. The parents were married in Iowa and had a family of eight children, four of whom are now living. Robert Bagby married Daisy McKenney, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Wil- liams) McKenney. Mr. and Mrs. Bagby have two children, Helen and Harry, both of whom were born in Holt County.

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A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 28

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 912

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912